Spokesman - Teamsters Local 25

Transcription

1842_Local25_Sum07.qxp
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 1
®
SUMMER 2007
O’Brien Expands, Enhances
‘Teamsters TV’
Conversation with Lt. Governor,
Mid-Term Survey Latest Highlights
PAGE 13
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 2
11
6
VISIT THE
Left Lane
12
19
In This Issue | Summer 2007
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
6
2
7
9
15
16
18
National UPS Committee
Suspends Negotiations
President O’Brien, Business Agent
Slicis Continue Supplemental Talks
11
12
13
Strike Averted at
Lindenmeyr Munroe in
Franklin, Massachusetts
Local 25 Women’s
Committee Volunteers
at Rosie’s Place
O’Brien Expands,
Enhances ‘Teamsters TV’
Conversation with Lt. Governor,
Mid-Term Survey Latest Highlights
The
20
22
24
27
28
Business Agent Reports
The Left Lane is the name of
the new Teamsters Local 25 store,
which is housed in the Day Room at
the headquarters at 544 Main Street,
Charlestown, Massachusetts.
The store features a select number of
different items offered on a seasonal
basis: shirts, hats, jackets and sweatshirts. There will also be specialty
items available throughout the year.
Stop and Shop
Golf Sponsors
Caucuses
TeamstersCare
Organizing and
Government Affairs
Blood Bank
Local 25 Military
Stewards Spotlight
In Memoriam
Retiree Chapter News
The store will be open
from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Monday through Friday,
and one hour before and one
hour after the monthly meetings.
The store will accept cash,
credit card or debit card.
For more information call
(617) 241-9687
Spokesman
Sean M. O'Brien
President/
Principal Officer
Mark A. Harrington
Secretary-Treasurer
Philip H. Mallett
Recording Secretary
John Jay Manley
Trustee
George Slicis
Business Agent
John A. Murphy
Vice President/
Business Agent
Jackie Addison
Trustee
Robert Fabrizio
Business Agent
Bob McAllister
Business Agent
Tim Madden
Trustee
Tom Mari
Business Agent
Dave Pietroforte
Business Agent
Steven R. Sullivan
Director of Organizing
and Government
Affairs
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 3
Message from the
President
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Another summer is upon us. While many of us have vacations on our mind, the business
of improving the lives of our members and their families doesn’t stop during the dog days
of summer.
I have been very busy serving on the National UPS Negotiating Committee. When General
President Jim Hoffa asked me to serve, I was honored to do so. It has been a very challenging
process, and I have learned a great deal. Negotiations are going slow, but we are making sure
that the concerns of our members are getting addressed. We will win a strong contract at UPS.
“We will never
back down if an
employer in the
future decides to
harm our members
and their families.”
–SEAN M. O'BRIEN
PRESIDENT/
PRINCIPAL OFFICER
When I took office, one of the things I wanted to improve was communications to our members.
We completely revamped and improved The Spokesman, and I have received great feedback from
members about that. Then we launched “Teamsters TV,” a web casting system that allows members to access high-quality video presentations. We have produced several programs and, most
recently, “An Evening with Lt. Governor Murray,” where I joined the Lieutenant Governor in a live
discussion. Our members could even submit questions to us during the live broadcast. Now we
have uploaded a mid-term survey. We want to know how you feel about the job we’re doing.
I hope to continue to use this new technology to improve our communications to members.
Stay tuned for more exciting programs. Visit our web site, www.teamsterslocal25.com, to see
past videos.
In early July, workers at Lindenmeyr Munroe, a paper company in Franklin, voted 19-0 to ratify
a new contract, which averted a strike. There was a very real possibility of a strike involving the
22 members in Franklin. We were poised and ready to make this company an example if they
continued to fail to address our members’ concerns and needs. Strikes are a last resort, but they
sometimes are necessary in order to defend our members’ rights. We will never back down if
an employer in the future decides to harm our members and their families.
Once again, our entire organizing team continues to grow our union, another one of my
administration’s chief goals.
For example, on June 18, workers at Kiessling Transit, Inc. in Braintree, which contracts with
the MBTA to provide paratransit services known as “The Ride,” voted to join Local 25. Now,
106 workers will have a stronger voice as Teamsters. Also, six workers at Zipcar, a car-sharing
company based in Cambridge, voted 6-0 to join Local 25. This was the first victory at the
company, which has been featured in media reports as a progressive company. The workers
have taken a progressive step by joining this great local union.
I hope you all are having a great summer and I hope you enjoy what’s left of it. Rest assured
that while you are enjoying a week or two off, we continue to work hard to provide you
with the best representation.
Fraternally,
Sean M. O'Brien
President/Principal Officer
www.teamsterslocal25.com | SUMMER 2007 | The SPOKESMAN | 1
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 4
Business Agent
Dedicated to Our Local Union Members
Secretary-Treasurer
Mark Harrington
I would like to thank everyone
for their support of the Local 25
scholarship golf outing. It was
far and away our most successful
tournament to date. We raised
in the neighborhood of $40,000.
It was truly a team effort.
It was a very busy spring and early summer in
carhaul. At one point, we had more than 40 people
working in drive-away, as well as PTS and Allied hiring
truck-away drivers. The demise of Swift has certainly
helped our members in that industry. It is good to see
some former members getting back into the union
because of this growth.
It has been extremely busy in the Motion Picture
Division and it looks to continue to flourish as the new
tax incentives have made Massachusetts one of the most
popular destinations for filmmaking at this time. I want to
thank President O’Brien for his hard work in making the
Teamsters a prominent factor in this industry.
I am pleased to report that we were successful in
two termination cases, one with Heating Oil Partners
where the company attempted to use the bankruptcy as
a tactic against the grievant. I am pleased to report that
she was returned to work with six months back pay. In
another case, I am pleased to report a successful outcome
of a termination with Aggregate Industry. The company
attempted to disqualify a driver improperly. We prevailed in
that case as well. The panel ordered full back pay in this
case along with reinstatement.
Another company that has seen growth is Brewer
Petroleum. They are the primary hauler of Hess gasoline in
Massachusetts. They recently hired a number of drivers,
many who were on withdrawal or transfer from another
local. I want to thank steward John Morgan for his work
in getting the applications in and assisting getting union
men hired.
One note as it relates to withdrawal cards; if you
fail to take one when you leave the craft you will be
charged a re-initiation fee. It is your responsibility to
take one.
2 | The SPOKESMAN | SUMMER 2007 | www.teamsterslocal25.com
Vice President
and Business Agent
John Murphy
We have had three negotiation
sessions in the town of Acton
for our 9-1-1 dispatchers.
Business Agent Pietroforte and
I have some tentative language
agreements but we are still
early in these discussions.
At Xpedx Paper we have made some good progress and
I am hopeful we can wrap this up without a strike.
UPS/Cartage is ongoing and we are waiting for the
company to give us some more dates.
Massport talks are going well at this point as we discuss
the impact of our members co-paying for health care; we
have proposed the Teamsters Local 25 Dental and Eye plan
as well as changing the sick leave and grievance policies.
President Hoffa has appointed me Chairman of the
New England Negotiating Committee, to negotiate a new
supplement for our freight members. He has also placed
me on the National Master Freight Negotiating Committee.
We mailed out more than 600 surveys to our members
working at DHL Express so we may have a better idea as to
what it is going to take for a new agreement moving forward.
Business Agent
Bob McAllister
Since my last report I held
negotiations for contracts with
four companies that expired on
June 30. I am happy to report that
we have ratified three and continue
to bargain with the Town of
Norwell school custodians. The
school bus drivers for Laidlaw
Transit in Charlestown, who transport the METCO students,
unanimously ratified a five-year agreement that calls for
wage increases of 16 percent, adds two new holidays, reduces
the employee cost of medical insurance by 15 percent, adds
new safe driving bonuses and also new annual longevity payments for all employees. Thanks to stewards Roland Smith,
Ed Clarke and Billy Burke, a strong committee.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 5
Reports
The maintenance department at Mt. Ida College unanimously ratified a three-year agreement that includes a wage
increase of more than 7 percent in the first year, plus a
minimum of 3 percent in each of the remaining years. We
added a clothing allowance, increased the on-call pay as well
as the longevity pay. Thanks to steward Jim Kindler for his
hard work with the contract.
I, along with steward James Bradshaw, entered into negotiations with Paul Revere Transportation, Boston Division, and
reached an agreement that was unanimously ratified by the
drivers. The contract calls for a wage increases totaling 20 percent over six years. We also added an additional personal holiday and put a cap on the cost of the medical insurance.
I attended the Industrial Trades Conference in May and
met with agents from all over the country who represent
car rental companies. We discussed the buyout of the parent company of National/Alamo by Enterprise and what
impact it could have on our members. Enterprise has met with
representatives from the International and assured us that they
would honor all contracts.
GAF Roofing Materials recently announced that they will
be closing the Millis Plant and 114 members will be laid off.
GAF recently purchased a company called Elk that has a more
modern and efficient plant in Pennsylvania, which will be doing
the work that our members have done for more than 40 years.
We have negotiated a severance package that calls for payouts
based on years of service and production incentives as well as
an additional six months of health and welfare benefits. The
plant will be phased out over the next six to eight months.
Business Agent
George Slicis
I wrapped up contract negotiations
with the Norwal Corporation in
Walpole, and the contract was
ratified in April. We got a great
contract. We won 3-percent wage
increases in each of the three years
of the contract. We also retained
Teamster health and welfare benefits and won 5-percent
pension-contribution increases each year.
Workers at Lindenmeyr Munroe, a paper company in
Franklin, overwhelmingly ratified a contract on July 2,
averting a strike. I represent the 28 Lindenmeyr Munroe
workers in North Reading, while Business Agent Bob Fabrizio
represents the 22 workers in Franklin. I worked with Fabrizio
and all the members by taking a proactive approach. The
North Reading contract doesn’t expire until December, but we
knew that whatever contract we negotiated at Franklin would
be offered to the North Reading workers later this year, because of
this, we had a joint proposal meeting for both the North Reading
and Franklin workers last March to coordinate our efforts.
By getting workers involved from both locations, we won
a strong contract in Franklin. We got the Franklin workers
into the Teamster health and welfare plan, a major win for
these workers. They had been in an inferior company plan.
We also won wage and pension increases. Workers at both
locations stood together and remained strong. I want to
thank all the agents, officers and members who made this
effort a success.
At Aramark in Lawrence, I recently coordinated a meeting
for drivers to hear their concerns and issues. I will bring those
items back to the company so they can get addressed as soon
as possible.
At Good Humor Breyers ice cream in Framingham, the
contract expires in June 2008. We want to get an early start
and get the members involved early on in the process. I recently
sat down with the stewards to hear their concerns. Soon, I will
send out a survey so that all members can prioritize their
issues. It’s vital that members take part because they are the
ones who know the issues the best. Once we get the surveys
back and examine the results, we’ll have a proposal meeting.
At UPS, President Sean M. O’Brien has been attending
the national negotiations. I’ve joined President O’Brien at the
supplemental negotiations. We’ve worked on the New England
Supplemental Agreement, which addresses issues of local
interest. The UPS negotiations are slow going, but they are
moving ahead nonetheless.
I recently attended the International Union’s Business
Agent Skills in Survival training program in Washington, D.C.
I learned many things: negotiating, arbitrations, the
daily business of being an effective agent. I also attended
training for contract negotiations in Albany, New York, which
was also very helpful.
The end of July marks one year as a business agent for me.
It has been a very challenging first year. I’d like to thank
everyone—agents, stewards, members and President
O’Brien—for all the support. I look forward to learning
more in the years to come with the ultimate goal of moving
Local 25 forward so that you, our members, receive the best
representation possible.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 6
Business Agent Reports
Business Agent
Business Agent
Tom Mari
Robert Fabrizio
I have completed negotiations
with five companies during
the past three months. DSM
Neoresins has a new five-year
contract with wage increases of
4 percent every year, and also a
$500 signing bonus. The company
has also agreed to the Teamsters Health and Welfare for the
next five years, plus increases in their pension, 401(k) and
prepaid legal plan. DSM Neoresins has also agreed to
eliminate one of the three pay grades, which will increase
some members by more than the 4 percent.
Somerville Housing Authority Police have a new threeyear contract with a 4.5-percent increase the first year of the
contract. Cambridge Tire has a new three-year contract with
a 75-cent increase each year of the contract and pension
improvements. The Tewksbury School Nurses and Tewksbury
Administrators contracts are also done, with wage improvements and increased stipends for different skills. The five
contracts above were all ratified unanimously.
I negotiated a tentative agreement with Umass-Boston
Police and will be finishing up Umass-Lowell in the next
couple of weeks. I also have ongoing negotiations with the
Boxford Police Department and with the Brookline 9-1-1
operators.
For DHL, the local has sent out surveys for the upcoming
contract negotiations, which asks for members input on many
different issues such as wages, health and welfare, and pension. The local will also be having proposal meetings in the
next few months. DHL is sending out mixed messages
on this upcoming contract and we at Teamsters Local 25
want to be one step ahead of this company.
At the City of Cambridge, there are many arbitrations
scheduled for the fall, and I look forward to these
challenging cases going forward. I will be having proposal
meetings in the fall for the 2008 contract which represents
300-plus members.
I would like to thank all the stewards and the local
union’s agents and officers for making my first year in
office a rewarding and enjoyable one.
Negotiations for Milton-Cat in
Milford have concluded with
a new three-year contract that
was ratified on June 16. The new
contract includes increases in
wages, pension, and an increase
in their shift differential. I was
also successful in increasing the company’s short-term
disability insurance from $250 to $400 a week.
I, along with Business Agent George Slicis, negotiated
Lindenmeyr Munroe’s contract for the Franklin facility,
and with the help of President O’Brien, we were successful
in getting our members one of their best contracts ever.
A three-year contract which includes getting out of the
company’s health plan where they paid a 10-percent
premium that did not include dental or eye care, and into
the Teamsters Health and Welfare plan paid by the company.
Also, an hourly wage increase along with contributions to
the pension plan. I want to thank all the members, along
with steward Dave Wilbur, for help in getting this contract
done. During the negotiations the company did not want
our members to have the Teamsters health and welfare
plan. The company presented us with their last and final
offer which had the company plan, and we asked our members
to reject their offer and send a message. The members
responded by rejecting it 19-0. The company got the
message and, with the help of President O’Brien and the
members at Lindenmeyr Munroe, we ratified the contract
on July 2.
Negotiations with Medford Public School security
guards are still ongoing, along with Cohasset 9-1-1 dispatchers. Also, President O’Brien has given me a new assignment:
Kiessling, out of Braintree, which picks up and transports
riders with disabilities. I look forward to negotiating their
first contract.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 7
Business Agent
Dave Pietroforte
Contract negotiations for the
nine produce companies that
I represent are in full swing.
Proposal meetings were
held for seven of the nine
companies on June 3, 2007
in the union hall.
Health and welfare, pension and wages were at the
top of discussion. The first rounds of negotiations were
held at the union hall on June 27th and are still ongoing as
of July 17th. Five meetings have been held so far, and I am
hopeful to have them wrapped up soon.
Also, one meeting has been held so far with the
Peter Condakis Company. One of the last of the produce
company’s negotiations was started on June 21st and our
proposal was submitted to the company.
Negotiations have started with Acton 9-1-1. Vice
President John Murphy and I exchanged proposals on
July 2nd and the 11th with the town. Three more dates have
been set for August.
Talks will be starting soon to set dates for meetings
with two more companies: Arrow Paper in Wilmington,
Massachusetts, and for MS Walker in Norwood,
Massachusetts. Surveys were sent out the week of July 23rd
to members at both companies. We are looking to identify the
five most important issues to discuss when negotiations start.
An arbitration hearing was held on July 11th against
the City of Everett for having a nonunion employee do
union work. I am working on my brief for the case to
be submitted by August 17th.
Two more arbitration cases are coming up. One
against G.D Mathews in September, and I am waiting
to get the dates for US Foods.
Which Side
Are You On?
Come all you good workers,
Good news to you I’ll tell
Of how the good old union
Has come in here to dwell.
CHORUS:
Which side are you on?
My daddy was a miner,
And I’m a miner's son,
And I’ll stick with the union
’Til every battle’s won.
They say in Harlan County
There are no neutrals there.
You’ll either be a union man
Or a thug for J. H. Blair.
Oh workers can you stand it?
Oh tell me how you can?
Will you be a lousy scab
Or will you be a man?
Don’t scab for the bosses,
Don’t listen to their lies.
Us poor folks haven’t got a chance
Unless we organize.
By Florence Reese (1931)
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 8
National UPS Committee Suspends Negotiations
President O’Brien, Business Agent Slicis
Continue Supplemental Talks
he Teamsters National UPS Negotiating Committee,
in which Local 25 President Sean M. O’Brien serves,
suspended talks with UPS on July 11.
Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa, Chairman of the
committee, and Co-Chairman Ken Hall, Director of the
Parcel and Small Package Division, issued a statement on
July 13 announcing the suspension in talks.
“As you know, we entered into early negotiations in
order to address our members’ concerns that their pension
and health and welfare benefit funds were in jeopardy.
Unfortunately, the company has been unable to present a
comprehensive response to the union’s economic demands
because of differences between the company and several
benefit funds over the amount of new company money that
is necessary to maintain and improve existing benefits,”
according to the statement.
“These disputes cannot be resolved by the Union
Negotiating Committee. And until they are resolved
between the company and those funds, the union cannot
proceed with bargaining over the outstanding economic and
language proposals that are on the table. The union is prepared to resume negotiations as soon as the company is
ready to put forth an economic proposal that addresses the
issue that brought us to the table to begin with: improving
the stability of the benefit funds upon which our members
rely for health care coverage and retirement protection,” the
statement said.
President Hoffa appointed O’Brien to serve on the
national committee.
T
‘Only Option’
“While it’s disappointing that the talks have been suspended, it was General President Hoffa’s and Co-Chairman Hall’s
only option,” O’Brien said. “We have gotten to the point that
it is senseless to move forward until the company and the
benefit funds resolve these disputes. There is way too much
on the line—the retirement security of our 3,000 Local 25
UPS Teamsters and the more than 235,000 nationwide—for
us to move forward without the necessary information. I
applaud General President Hoffa and Co-Chairman Hall for
taking this bold, necessary step.”
UPS Teamsters’ future security is of utmost importance,
O’Brien said.
“We knew going into these early negotiations that protecting our members’ retirement security and health care
would need creative solutions,” O’Brien said. “It takes time
to make this happen. I am prepared to do whatever it takes
to make sure our members’ livelihoods are protected.”
Supplements Continue
While negotiations at the National Agreement level
have been suspended, both the union and company
Supplemental Negotiating Committees have been instructed
to continue to bargain over the working conditions covered
in the supplements.
“Over the past several months, Local 25 Business Agent
George Slicis has joined me at the supplemental negotiations, and we will continue to hammer out the issues that
directly affect our Local 25 members in Chelmsford,
Watertown, Somerville and Norwood,” O’Brien said.
“I am honored to serve on the supplements committee
with President O’Brien,” Slicis said. “The national agreement contains the important economic issues, but the supplement addresses working conditions and issues close to
home. We are making steady progress on these local issues.”
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 9
STOP&SHOP
On June 7, Stop & Shop
and Teamsters Local 25
collaborated on a Health
Screening Day at the
Stop & Shop Distribution
Center in Freetown,
Massachusetts. More than
300 Teamsters attended
the day-long event to
learn about the Teamsters
Health and Welfare Plan,
get their blood pressure
checked, get checked
for diabetes and learn the
value of exercise and a
good diet. “This event was
a great idea, it was very
informative and we were
happy to help it become a
success,” said Sean M.
O’Brien, Local 25 President
and Principal Officer.
Top left: Teamster DRIVE Representative Dennis Caza (left) stands with 6-year member
Herbert Callwood, while Callwood signs up for DRIVE (Democrat Republican
Independent Voter Education)
Top right: Carol McNelley, Credit Coordinator, and Jack Colamaria Credit Manager/
COO, pose at their New England Teamsters Federal Credit Union table.
Above: Attorney Paul Regan, (left) who is the President of Regan Associates, confers
with Bob Overstreet about the Teamsters Local 25 Pre-Paid Legal Plan. Overstreet is a
17-year employee and an assistant steward in the Produce Department.
At right: Business Agent Robert Fabrizio and Steward Tommy Alex pose during
the Health Fair.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Kimberly Andrews
Jennifer Dolan
Meghan Maskell
Brett Sawin
Scholarship Recipient
Hometown–Bridgewater
School–Worcester State College
Teamster Parent–Bruce Andrews
Parent’s Employer–Lowell Brothers
& Bailey, Shop Steward
Scholarship–Feinberg, Campbell &
Zack Scholarship Award
Hometown–W. Roxbury
School–University of
Massachusetts, Amherst
Teamster Parent–Joseph Dolan
Parent’s Employer–New Penn
Motor Express
Scholarship–Local 25
Hometown–Plymouth
School–Worchester State College
Teamster Parent–John Maskell
Parent’s Employer–Dry Ice Corp.
Hometown–Waltham
Teamster Parent–Keith Sawin
Parent’s Employer–UPS
Courtney Brothers
Ada Flores
Christina McGinnis
Levy Silva
Hometown–Somerville
School–University of Massachusetts,
Amherst
Teamster Parent–Marco Flores
Parent’s Employer–UPS, Somerville
Hometown–Derry
School–University of New Hampshire
at Manchester
Teamster Parent–Robert McGinnis, Jr.
Parent’s Employer–Brewer Petroleum
Service, Inc.
Scholarship–Francis Ciccarelli
Memorial Scholarship Award
Hometown–Brockton
School–Temple University
Teamster Parent–Aristides Silva
Parent’s Employer–Stop & Shop
Warehouse
Donald Gendron, Jr.
Felicia Peluso
Hometown–North Attleboro
Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Teamster Parent–Charles Buckman
Parent’s Employer–Massport
Hometown–Lowell
Lowell
Teamster Parent-Donald Gendron
Parent’s Employer–UPS, Chelmsford
Hometown–Peabody
Dartmouth
Teamster Parent–Joseph Peluso
Parent’s Employer–Atlas
Glen-Mor Fuel
Scholarship–Teamsters Local 25
Group Legal Plan Scholarship Award
Hometown–Woburn
School–Lasell College
Teamster Parent–Kevin Brothers
Parent’s Employer–DHL-Stoneham
Scholarship– Local 25
Jason Buckman
Scholarship Recipients
Page 10
Steven Corrales
Ryan Hussey
Hometown–Central Falls
School–University of Notre Dame
Teamster Parent–Gabriel Corrales
Parent’s Employer–Stone Container
Matthew Dabrieo
Hometown–Danvers
Massachusetts Lowell
Teamster Parent–Mark Dabrieo
Parent’s Employer–RIS Paper
Company
Brooke Deane
John Pereira
Hometown–Alton, NH
School–Thomas College
Teamster Parent-Ronald Hussey
Parent’s Employer–New Penn Motor
Express
Scholarship–Joseph C. Conlon
Hometown–Wareham
School–Roger Williams University
Teamster Parent-Ken Pereira
Parent’s Employer–Milton Cat
Courtney Jeune
Jillian Miranda
Hometown–Dorchester
School–Mass. College of Pharmacy
and Health Services
Teamster Parent-Necker Jeune
Hometown–Pelham, NH
School–Mass. College of Pharmacy
and Health Services
Teamster Parent–Donald Reynolds
Parent’s Employer–Retiree Chapter
Scholarship
Scholarship–Teamsters Local 25
Retiree Chapter Scholarship Award
Oliver Kenney
Hometown–Woburn
School–Plymouth State University
Teamster Parent–Robert Deane
Parent’s Employer–RIS Paper
Company
Scholarship–Kevin F. Harrington, Sr.
Scholarship Award
Hometown–Nashua
School–University of Vermont
Teamster Parent–David Kenney
Parent’s Employer–DHL, Stoneham
Jillian DiPiro
Matthew Magrath
Hometown–Roslindale
School–Fitchburg State College
Teamster Parent–Richard DiPiro
Hometown–Medfield
Teamster Parent–James Magrath
Vivian Santiago
Hometown–Springfield
School–Salem State College
Teamster Parent–Angel Santiago
Parent’s Employer–Romanow
Container
Scholarship–George Rodrigues
Alexander Snow
Hometown–Chelmsford
School–Northeastern University
Teamster Parent–David Snow
Parent’s Employer–DHL-Needham
Alexander Souroufis
Hometown–W.Roxbury
School–Harvard University
Teamster Parent–George Souroufis
Parent’s Employer–American
Red Cross
Lawrence Stahley, IV
Hometown–Groveland
School–Northeastern University
Teamster Parent-Larry Stahley
Jacquelynn Troy
Hometown–Everett
Massachusetts, Boston
Teamster Parent-Mike Troy
Parent’s Employer–US Foodservice
Monica Trobagis
Hometown–Acton
School–University of Delaware
Teamster Parent-Anamari Uriarte
Parent’s Employer–TeamstersCare
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 11
Thank You
Teamsters Local 25 2007 Golf Sponsors
Admiral Metals
Arrow Paper Corporation
Atlas Glen-Mor
Attorney John J. Todisco
Bedford Lock & Key Co.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589
Boston Police Patrolmen’s Assn. Inc.
Brian Cloherty/Law Office of
Keches & Mallen
Brigham’s Ice Cream
Bunker Hill Florist
Cambridge Offset Printing
Committee To Elect William R. Keating
For District Attorney
Consolidated Service Corporation
D’Arrigo Bros. Company
Dave Does Windows Plus
Davis Vision Inc.
DBR Group, Inc.
Delta Dental / Denta Quest
Dry Ice Corp.
Entrust Capital Inc.
Feinberg, Campbell & Zack
Flat Rock Creative
Fusion
Global Companies LLC
Greater Boston Labor Council
Guy Glodis, Worcester County Sherriff
Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
J & C Management
JC Floor Covering, Inc.
Jim Stover
John Cerasuolo Co. Inc.
John F. Murphy, Eastern Region V-President
Laidlaw Education Services
Teamsters Local 804
Loomis-Sayles & Company, LP
M. Burstein & Co., Inc.
M.S. Walker, Inc.
Mail Handlers Union
Marr Scaffolding Company
Martignetti Companies
Massachusetts Credit Union Share
Insurance Corporation
Meketa Investment Group. Inc.
Michael A. Sullivan Committee
Michael W. Morrissey Committee
Mike Maher, CPA
New England Teamsters FCU
Omni Ad Specialties
OPEIU Local 6
Patrick O’Brien
Peter Pan Bus Lines
Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts
R&S Landscaping, Inc.
Raso's Grille - Medford, MA
Regan Associates, Chartered
Roadway Express Inc.
Rothschild Asset. Management
S. Strock & Co., Inc.
Sanatex Corporation
Segreve & Hall Insurance Associates, Inc.
Shaughnessy & Ahern Co.
Sonet Electrical Systems
Sullivan Plumbing Corp.
Teamsters Joint Council 10 NE
Teamsters Local Union No. 202
TeamstersCare
The Alliance Express
The Committee To Elect the
Sean O’ Brien Slate
The Office People, Inc.
The Rendon Group, Inc.
The Stop & Shop Supermarket
Company, LLC
Tufts Health Plan
UFCW–Local 1445
United Parcel Service
UPS–NNE
Wonderland Greyhound Park, Inc.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 12
Calendar of
August 2007
September 2007
Events
August 4, 2007
International Brotherhood of Teamsters Organized, 1903
August 22, 2007
International Brotherhood of Teamsters joins American
Federation of Labor, 1909
August 26, 2007
Women’s Equality Day, 19th Amendment, 1920
September 3, 2007
Labor Day
September 9, 2007
Grandparent’s Day
September 11, 2007
Patriot Day
September 16, 2007
General Membership Meeting. 10 a.m.
Union Hall, 544 Main Street Charlestown, MA 02129
September 22, 2007
Blood Bank 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Union Hall, 544 Main Street, Charlestown, MA 02129
Yom Kippur
September 23, 2007
Autumn Begins
September 28, 2007
Teamsters Local 25 Organized, 1900
October 8, 2007
October 2007
Columbus Day (Observed)
October 14, 2007
Autism Walk 10 a.m.
Suffolk Downs
October 21, 2007
General Membership Meeting 10 a.m.
October 27, 2007
Blood Bank 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
October 31, 2007
Halloween
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 13
E
K
I
R
T
S
D
E
T
R
E
V
A
at Lindenmeyr Munroe in
Franklin, Massachusetts
I
t was down to the wire, but a
strike was averted at Lindenmeyr
Munroe, a specialty paper distributor in Franklin, Massachusetts.
Representing the leading printing
and writing manufacturers, both
domestically and internationally,
Local 25 has approximately 50
members at both the Franklin facility
and North Reading location.
“We stood ready to take this company on. It was our first strike vote as
the new leadership of Local 25 and we
were going to make Lindenmeyr Munroe
an example going forward. I am glad
we came to an agreement. A strike is
always a last resort,” said Sean M.
O’Brien, President and Principal
Officer of Local 25.
“The members voted unanimously
to go on strike if necessary,” O’Brien
said. “We negotiated beyond the
deadline and were able to hammer
out a mutual agreement desirable for
both sides.”
The major sticking points were
about sick time, health insurance and
wages. Once the tense negotiations
were finished, the workers voted 19-0
to accept the contract. The three-year
deal secured the members into the
Teamsters Local 25 Health and Welfare
Plan with up to an 86-cent-per-hour
increase. There were also enhancements in the pension contributions
from the company.
Lindenmeyr Munroe has specialized in paper for more than 140 years.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 14
Local 25 Women’s Committee Volunteers
at ROSIE’S PLACE
omen’s Committee Co-Chair Jacqueline Addison (Local 25
Trustee), Dawn Salvi, Jean Ann Roche, Leslie Russell, Karen
McNelley and Marilyn Mastacusa volunteer at Rosie’s Place
W
in Boston.
Since 1974, poor and homeless women have found an
oasis of hope and nourishment at Rosie’s Place. The mission
of Rosie’s Place is to help women maintain their dignity,
seek opportunity and find security in their lives.
Teamsters Answer the Call
for the Jane Doe Foundation
The Women’s Committee of Teamsters
Local 25 has partnered with Jane Doe
Incorporated, a nonprofit organization
that confronts sexual assault and domestic
violence. We are asking our members
to bring their old cell phones to the
monthly meeting on September 16, 2007,
to donate them to the Jane Doe foundation. These phones will be reprogrammed
and will only be able to call 9-1-1 in case of
domestic assault.
“This is a great opportunity to help the
women in our community who are faced
with domestic violence. I know our members will answer the call for these women,”
said Sean M. O’Brien, President and
Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 25.
“The Teamsters Local 25 Women’s Committee has really
stepped up to the plate and have become more involved in
the community. I am excited about their upcoming plans to
serve local charities. The leadership of Local 25 not only has
an obligation to the membership but has an obligation to
the community as well,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President of
Teamsters Local 25.
Many of the women Rosie’s assists are working and in
housing but simply can’t make ends meet. Some are newly
homeless, while other women have been living on the streets
for years. Rosie’s serves women as young as 18 and as old as
80. About one-third of Rosie’s guests have children. Some
of the guests are living with HIV/AIDS or have hidden
disabilities such as addiction or mental illnesses that prevent
them from effectively integrating into society.
If you would like to volunteer for a Women’s Committee
activity, please contact Co-Chair Jackie Addison at (617)
851-9438 or Co-Chair Jan Guazzaloca at (978) 317-9137.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 15
O’Brien Expands, Enhances
‘Teamsters TV’
Conversation with Lt. Governor, Mid-Term Survey Latest Highlights
eeking to reach out to as many
members as possible, Local 25
President Sean O’Brien continues to
enhance and expand“Teamsters TV”and
give members the opportunity to take
an active role in the exciting ne w
technology.
O’Brien launched Teamsters TV
earlier this year, a technology that
brings video presentations to members.
The first program featured O’Brien’s
inauguration, followed by an address
O’Brien delivered in February. Then,
U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, a
Democrat from the state’s 8th
Congressional District, delivered a
video address to members.
For the next video, O’Brien sat
down with Lt. Gov. Tim Murray in late
June for Teamsters TV’s first Internet
production. Realizing that member
interaction is critical, the format for
the Murray-O’Brien discussion allowed
members to e-mail questions to the
two leaders.
S
Juggling Roles
The hour-long segment displayed the
similarities between these two leaders in
the Commonwealth. Both are in their
30s and both are constantly trying to
juggle their family and professional
commitments.
“It’s not easy trying to lead a 10,000member local union and stay involved
as I would like as a husband and father,”
O’Brien said. “As a fourth generation
Teamster I have an obligation to leave
this local union better than I found it,
and unfortunately my family sometimes has to suffer.”
Lt. Gov. Murray concurred with
O’Brien’s view of juggling family
and profession. “It is about time management. I sometimes bring my kids
to events so they can see what I do,”
Murray said. “When I am not home
enough I sometimes get the fastball
by the chin by my wife. I then get the
message that I need to find time for
a date night.”
Member Interaction
O’Brien is taking the interaction further
with a recent mid-term survey, where
members are encouraged to assess
O’Brien’s term so far.
“When I began Teamsters TV, our
goal was to reach out to our members
more effectively,” O’Brien said. “I think
we are achieving that goal. This technology allows us to take it a step further
by getting our members involved
directly. Member participation is critical
because my entire team and I are here
to serve our members. That is our
paramount duty.”
Fireside Communications is the
company that delivers Teamsters TV
through its featured product, “Fireside
Chat,” in partnership with VBrick
Systems and PowerStream.
“Sean is the first union president
to own his own video webcasting system,” said Greg Tompkins, principal
of Fireside Communications. “Sean is a
proven leader, and his embracing of
this technology to better communicate
with members is just another example
of the things he is getting done at
Local 25.”
To access Teamsters TV, visit Local
25’s web site, www.teamsterslocal25.com,
and click on the “Teamsters TV” button. You may choose a link to watch a
video clip.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 16
The Board of Directors of the
New England Teamsters Federal Credit Union
are Proud to Announce
Online
BILL PAY!
The faster way to pay bills.
BILL PAY is a new bill payment service.
Instead of writing a check and mailing the payment to the merchant, you can
handle all your payments automatically through Bill Pay. In addition, Bill Pay
keeps track of the last 18 months' payment history.
WIN UP TO $1,000.
We will randomly pick one member’s online bill pay transaction from July 1, 2007
to December 31, 2007 and reimburse them the amount paid up to $1,000.00.
Now you can finally have it all:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Free Checking Account
Debit Card
Online Bill Pay
Loan Rate Discounts for Payroll Deduction
Credit Union Teamster workers that care about your financial needs
MSIC Deposit Insurance with $600,000 per individual coverage
Please call a Member Service Representative for more information,
at 1 (800) 343-7126 or visit us at www.netfcu.org.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 17
R.A.D.
Rape Aggression Defense
Program Offered
n June 9, UMass-Lowell police
officer and Teamster Local 25
member Lt. Melissa Mullen
addressed members of the Women’s
Committee about a program called
R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense),
which she coordinates at UMassLowell. R.A.D., in its 15th year, is a
self-defense class for the female
members of the university community.
The program provides women the
skills and confidence to avoid and, if
necessary, confront anyone who tries
to physically harm them. The program
will be taught at Teamsters Local 25
in the late summer and early fall
of 2007. If you are interested in attending, please e-mail Jan Guazalocca at
[email protected].
O
DRIVE
Sweep
Teamsters Local 25 conducts DRIVE sweep
in the Small Package and Parcel division.
ith the help of two Teamster DRIVE
representatives, John Cuite and Dennis
Caza, Local 25 signed up nearly 1,200
members to the union’s DRIVE (Democrat,
Republican, IndependentVoter Education) program.
The new members will boost DRIVE
by almost $51,000 annually.
“DRIVE is important to our future,”
said Sean M. O’Brien, President and
Principal Officer of Local 25. “We
need to defeat those politicians who want to put us out of business.”
The DRIVE program is very important to the union’s members and
their families. It is imperative that the union and its members financially
support candidates for public office who back Teamster issues in the
workplace. Corporations spend large amounts of money to try to influence
legislation and push their anti-worker agenda. Each year corporations
outspend labor by a 15-to-1 margin.
Photo above: Led by Business Agent George Slicis, Local 25 UPS
members from the Norwood center line up to give to DRIVE.
W
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 18
TeamstersCare
Providing comprehensive health care to Teamsters and their families.
Board of Trustees
Teamsters Union 25
Health Services &
Insurance Plan
Sean M. O’Brien
Union Co-Chairman
Mark A. Harrington
TeamstersCare Notes
The TeamstersCare Board of Trustees and CoChairman Sean O’Brien recently announced
some improvements to many of your
TeamstersCare benefits. A summary is listed
below. Find the program in which you participate to review your benefit improvements.
Chantix:
(click on the “TeamstersCare Forms”
button on the left, then go to “New
Smoking Cessation Form” link) or by
Union Trustee
John A. Murphy
Union Trustee
Charles F. Arbing
Employer Co-Chairman
Active, NCH, and Early Retiree
Medical Program Participants:
Audiology: In-house hearing aid related visits
no longer require co-payments.
Dental:
John Remillard
In-house dental filling visit copayments are reduced to $5.
In-house denture, root canal
Employer Trustee
(on front six teeth, top and bottom
only), and simple extraction visit
Thomas K. Wotring
co-payments are reduced to $10.
Employer Trustee
Mental Health: Visits to Preferred Providers
with pre-treatment review by the
TeamstersCare Mental Health
Office are increased to 20 visits
per year.
Chantix:
A prescription medication used to
treat smoking addiction is covered
if certain requirements are met.
Details and forms are available on
our web site, www.teamsterscare.com
A prescription medication used to
treat smoking addiction is covered
if certain requirements are met.
Details and forms are available on
our web site, www.teamsterscare.com
contacting TeamstersCare Member
Services.
“Grandfathered” Retiree Dental
and Vision Services Only, and Dental
and Vision Services Only Program
Participants:
Dental:
Please note: The co-payment for missed appointments
for all programs remains $10.
(click on the “TeamstersCare Forms”
button on the left, then go to “New
Smoking Cessation Form” link) or by
contacting TeamstersCare Member
Services.
Retiree Prescription Drug Program
Participants (Age 65 and over):
Audiology: In-house hearing aid related visits
no longer require co-payments.
Dental:
The Sullivans – Bob, a member of UPS
Chelmsford, son Sean and wife Linda.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 19
Children Take Part in TeamstersCare
Hearing Screening Day
Many families participated in our hearing screening event for children
which took place in June at the TeamstersCare Audiology Office in
Charlestown. The screening was painless and fun for the kids. Snacks
and goodie bags were given to all participants. A couple of the children
were identified as having some hearing loss, although the majority came
through the screening just fine.
“The earlier we can identify hearing problems in children, the
sooner we can remedy them,” said Audiology Director Tricia Kosiorek.
“Those Teamster kids found to have hearing issues are already in the
treatment process.”
Did you miss the hearing screening event for eligible dependents
ages 3 and older? If so, you may call the TeamstersCare appointment
desk in Charlestown to set up an appointment at your convenience.
Hearing is a precious asset that needs to be protected.
Gianna Sciarappa,
daughter of Karen
from DHL in Newton.
Halle McGrail, daughter of
Debbie from DHL in
Stoneham
TeamstersCare Directory www.teamsterscare.com
Charlestown Office
16 Sever St.
Charlestown, MA 02129
Administration • Audiology
Dental • Member Services
Local Tel: 617-241-9220
Within MA: 800-442-9939
Out of State: 800-225-6135
Fax: 617-241-8168
Charlestown Pharmacy
552 Main St.
Charlestown, MA 02129
Local Tel: 617-241-9024
Toll Free: 800-235-0760
Fax: 617-241-5025
Stoughton Pharmacy
1214 Park St.
Stoughton, MA 02072
Tel: 781-297-9764
Fax: 781-297-9370
Stoughton Dental Office
1214 Park St.
Stoughton, MA 02072
Tel: 781-297-7360
Toll Free: 877-326-1999
Fax: 781-297-7830
Chelmsford Dental Office
4 Meeting House Rd.
Chelmsford, MA 01824
Tel: 978-256-9728
Toll Free: 800-258-2111
Fax: 978-256-9846
Mental Health Office
27 Hunting St.
Malden, MA 02148
24-hour Toll Free
Tel: 800-851-8326
Local: 781-321-6526
Fax: 781-321-6501
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 20
A Message from
Anthony Washington Wins $3,504
Steven R. Sullivan
Worker Fired for
Director of Organizing
& Government Affairs
The Organizing Department has been very busy since my
last report. I would like to thank my team, Steve South and
Pat Palmisano, for working very hard in the interest of the
Local Union.
In May, we were unsuccessful in our attempt to organize the
drivers at Cintas in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The company
hired a professional union buster and infiltrated the workplace
with dozens of managers from Cintas locations around the
country. The drivers had endured three consecutive years of
wage cuts, but when the votes were finally cast, these workers
voted 31-25 not to join Local 25. It was my first union organizing election loss as the Director of Organizing at Local 25 since
I was appointed in May 2004. I learned a lot from that campaign. I made the appropriate changes and moved on to other
organizing drives.
On June 18, we welcomed 106 new members into Local 25
with a 62-27 organizing victory at Kiessling Transit – The Ride
in Braintree, Massachusetts. It was a grueling campaign, which
led to one worker being fired for talking to the union. We did
file charges at the National Labor Relations Board and they in
turn filed a complaint against the company. Special thanks to
Organizers South and Palmisano for their long hours of service
during the campaign. They spent morning, noon and night on
the street talking to the drivers as they came and went to work.
This strategy proved to be very successful.
Also on June 18, the National Labor Relations Board
finally certified our two elections at FedEx Home Delivery in
Wilmington, Massachusetts. It took eight months from the
time the workers first voted 24-8 (October 20, 2006) to get the
certification. It was a great day for the workers at FedEx.
On July 13, we welcomed six new members from Zipcar.
These workers serve as the fleet mechanics for the company.
They ride bikes throughout the Boston area and repair and
retrieve cars, which are rented by the hour or by the day.
On July 11, the town of Saugus voluntarily recognized
Teamsters Local 25 as the bargaining representative for the
town’s 12 E-9-1-1 operators.
We are waiting for a date from the Massachusetts Labor
Relations Commission for a consent election for the eight
Emergency 9-1-1 operators in the town of Sudbury.
Successful organizing starts at the top. I want to thank
President Sean M. O’Brien for giving me all of the resources
I need to be a victorious Director of Organizing.
A special thank you to Carson Byrum who served as an
intern with the Organizing Department in the summer of
2007. Carson is winding down his studies at Emerson College
in Boston where he is a film major.
ORGANIZING
Receives Back Pay
The following is Anthony Washington’s letter
that he sent to Local 25 after he was awarded
$3,504 in back pay.
June 17, 2007
Hello Steve:
Words alone
cannot explain
my gratitude for
Local 25. You are
not just union
representatives,
but you are my
friends. I want to
thank you for everything you have done
for me and my family. Although I am not
a union member you’ve treated me like
one. Only a friend would have such great
concern as you showed for the welfare of
my family. Not only did you help me
receive the back pay owed to me, you
have arranged several interviews to help
me land back on my feet. It takes a good
person to put themselves out there for a
total stranger, so my family and I want to
thank you, not just for the job possibilities
and the checks I received, but for treating
me as if I was a family member.
Sincerely,
Anthony Washington
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 21
Carson Byrum
Intern
Steve South and
Pat Palmisano say
thank you to the
Kiessling drivers.
L to R: In a show of solidarity, Deury Andujar, Steward Joint
Venture-The Ride; Robert Fabrizio, Business Agent; Anthony Lovell,
Steward, Veteran's Transportation-The Ride; and Steward Robert
McCauley, Veteran's Transportation-The Ride all volunteered to
help in the recent organizing drive with Kiessling Transit.
President O’Brien stands proudly with
the six new members from Zipcar.
Blood Bank
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 22
Name
Company
Times/Gallons
Name
Company
Bob Abell
Local 379
1
0.125
James Harris
Heating Oil Partners
4
0.5
Paul Amorosa
Retired
43
5.375
Bob Harty
Retired
40
5
William Asaro III
New Penn
1
0.125
Roger Hendrix
Manfi Leasing Stop & Shop
27
3.375
Irving Balkman
Retired
158
19.75
Doug Henry
53
6.625
Kristen Beaver
UPS
1
0.125
Kathy Hickey
General Public
4
0.5
Warren Boisueit
Yellow
23
2.875
Ed Hilton
City of Cambridge
1
0.125
Times/Gallons
Jerry Bolton
Retired
59
7.375
Warren R. Hoppie
Local 379
1
0.125
Bob Burns
Retired
80
10
Eugene T. Hurley
Yellow
30
3.75
Brian Buttrick
Allied Systems
6
0.75
John D. Jeffrey
Retired
103
12.875
Anthony Caggiano
DHL
10
1.25
Ernie Johnson
Allied Systems
7
0.875
Caitlin Canney
General Public
1
0.125
John Juszkiewicz
UPS
15
1.875
Robert Cantrell
Local 379
1
0.125
Daniel Kakleas
New Penn
38
4.75
Joe Cerilli
Shaughnessy & Ahern
1
0.125
Don Kelley
Admiral Metals
12
1.5
Bill Chambers
Retired
3
0.375
William T. Kelley Jr. United Liquors
24
3
John Colbert
Global Oil
4
0.5
Dan Kelly
Local 379
1
0.125
Tom Connerney
Local 379
1
0.125
Gary M. Kenny
Stop & Shop Warehouse
1
0.125
Paul F. Copithorne
Retired
80
10
Greg Kerwood
UPS
6
0.75
Kim Crawford
DHL
1
0.125
Erica Kim
UPS
1
0.125
Kris Crawford
Roadway
5
0.625
Michael Kimball
Leaseway MotorCar
17
2.125
Karen Crawford
Roadway
2
0.25
Paul Kirby
Admiral Metals
15
1.875
Kevin Cronin
UPS
1
0.125
Charles Knecht
Retired
52
6.5
Michael Curran
Allied Systems
5
0.625
Jessica Kunze
General Public
1
0.125
Melissa Curran
General Public
1
0.125
Bill Kuttner
General Public
3
0.375
Jim Curry
Local 379
1
0.125
Kevin Lally
Retired
68
8.5
Dan Dellucci
Ris Paper
4
0.5
Dave Langan
Retired
140
17.5
Heather DiBenedetto General Public
2
0.25
Joseph Laplante
GD Mathews
6
0.75
John Doherty
Local 379
1
0.125
Patti Lapointe
Teamsters Care
57
7.125
Daniel T. Donohoe
Global Oil
3
0.375
Kevin Leary
Arrow Paper
6
0.75
James Donovan
UPS
1
0.125
Stephen Lema
28
3.5
Mike Downey
UPS
11
1.375
Al Littlefield
Stop & Shop Warehouse
7
0.875
Stephen S. Drago
US FoodService
35
4.375
Bob Lunday
US FoodService
9
1.125
Rosie Dunlap
UPS
3
0.375
Jim MacInnis
XPEDX
14
1.75
Katherine Durfee
Retired
13
1.625
Brian MacLeod
Shaughnessy & Ahern
3
0.375
Chuck Durfee
Retired
129
16.125
Steve Maguire
Local 379
1
0.125
Mike Erelli
Yellow
25
3.125
Ron Mahoney
Atlas-Glen Mor
57
7.125
Judy Evers
General Public
24
3
James Maillet
Local 379
2
0.25
Manfi Leasing
Richard Foppiano
Retired
35
4.375
John Manley
1
0.125
Joseph Foti
UPS
10
1.25
Marilyn Mastascusa Teamsters Care
54
6.75
Dick Frank
City of Cambridge DPW
35
4.375
Bob McAllister
Local 25 B.A.
106
13.25
Thomas D. Frankkoff Retired
47
5.875
Cheryl McGinnis
General Public
1
0.125
Elizabeth Fula
General Public
3
0.375
Sheila McGonagle
General Public
14
1.75
David Gartland
39
4.875
Jean McGonagle
General Public
10
1.25
Edward Giglio
City of Everett
2
0.25
Mike McGrath
US FoodService
35
4.375
Helen Giglio
City of Everett
2
0.25
Paul McGrath
Local 82
6
0.75
Janet Guazzaloca
UPS
13
1.625
Richard McMurtry
UPS
16
2
John W. Hannon
Retired
55
6.875
Marcelino Miranda UPS
5
0.625
Brian Harrington
Yellow
20
2.5
Robert Monteforte
4
0.5
UPS
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 23
Name
Company
Times/Gallons
Ronnie Moran
Retired
115
14.375
Don Morris
DHL
2
0.25
Lisa Morris
General Public
1
0.125
Mike Morrissey
DHL
8
1
John J. Murphy
Retired
162
20.25
Kevin Nagle
New Penn
32
4
Tommy Nasson
Global Oil
94
11.75
Steve Nordahl
Coan Oil
17
2.125
Patrick O'Brien
Roadway
8
1
John O'Connor
Admiral Metals
12
1.5
Michael Pagliaro
New Penn
76
9.5
Tom Pennell
Retired
47
5.875
Eddie Petit Jr.
Union Hall
17
2.125
Thomas P. Quinn
General Public
1
0.125
Denise Robicheau
General Public
2
0.25
Karen Salvato
NETFCU
23
2.875
Philip Savoy Jr.
Coan Oil
33
4.125
Patrick Scarry
General Public
11
1.375
Joe Sciuto
Retired
48
6
Paul Sharpe
Retired
81
10.125
1
0.125
Jennifer E. Sherman General Public
Dan Splaine
Retired
120
15
Lisa Strawbridge
General Public
1
0.125
Tom Sullivan
Global Oil
40
5
Fred Sutera
Union Hall
48
6
Annabelle Torino
General Public
13
1.625
Robert Torino
General Public
12
1.5
Jack Ward
Retired
109
13.625
Myles Wilde
General Public
1
0.125
Gregory Wood
Coan Oil
6
0.75
James Woods
Yellow
37
4.625
The Charlestown, Massachusetts 12-year old
All Star team is on the road to compete in
the sectionals for the Little League World
Series after recently winning the District 9
Championship. These inner city kids have grit
and determination and in true Townie spirit
they do not give up. This is only the fifth time
in Charlestown Little League's 50-year history
that the Charlestown team has achieved
Championship status with the last one being
2004 and back to 2000, 1997, 1979 and 1968.
BLOODBANKREPORT
Teamsters Local 25 would like to congratulate the following members for joining the Teamsters Local 25 Gallon Clubs: Retiree
Chuck Durfee for joining the Sixteen Gallon Club and Retiree Dan
Splaine for joining the Fifteen Gallon Club. Retirees Bob Burns and
Paul F. Copithorne for joining the Ten Gallon Club along with
Retiree Joe Sciuto who joined the Six Gallon Club. Retiree Bob
Harty and Global Oil employee Tom Sullivan both joined the Five
Gallon Club. Joining the Four Gallon Club is Kevin Nagle of New
Penn and Philip Savoy Jr. of Coan Oil. United Liquors employee
William T. Kelley Jr. joined the Three Gallon Club, while UPS
employee Richard McMurtry joined the Two Gallon Club.
Roadway employee Patrick O’Brien and Mike Morrissey of DHL
both joined the One Gallon Club.
We also would like to congratulate and recognize our three
clock winners: April winner Jim Curry of Local 379, May winner
Bob Lunday of U.S. Foodservice and June winner Erica Kim of
UPS Watertown.
Teamsters Local 25 would like to thank all 134 donors over the
months of April, May and June for their continued support of the
American Red Cross. As always, your continued dedication is
truly “A Gift of Life.”
8/14/07
Thank You to All
Local 25 Members
Serving Our Country
In The United States
Military
5:00 PM
Page 24
A Special Thank You
A Local 25 Member Serving in Iraq Writes Home
APA TRANSPORTATION
Mark Kearley
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Jonathan Martins
DHL NORTH SHORE
Frank Gorman
James Moushigian
GOOD HUMOR BREYERS
Nancy Bernardinelli
MASSPORT
George Christy
SHAUGHNESSY &
AHERN
Eric McGlynn
STOP & SHOP
Grant Shedrick
UPS WATERTOWN
Paul McManus Jr.
Dennis Rudenhauer
UPS CHELMSFORD
John Adley Jr.
Joseph Anthony
Jay Caraviello
Chris Considine
Paul Dooling Jr.
Michael Flynn
Michael Janeiro
Robert Labonte
Michael Matley
Harold Morales
Chuunly Prak
John Rogers
Hi Tommy,
Just saying hello within 30 days of getting out of this place [and] all the crazy stuff
always happens now. Anyway, still going out on missions continuously… this place we
have to go to [for] the next 3 weeks is the most dangerous place, so in the event
something happens to me, I am being honest, you just never know. I would like to say to
you, Sean, everyone at the hall, DHL and drivers, [that] you have done my family right
while I’ve been deployed and that will never be forgotten. Because of my support channel back home I did not take leave from Iraq [and] stayed with my troops and remained
focused and alive. I’ve been going on fifty successful missions because of that. Please
listen, this is no bullsh*t—you have contributed to this war on terrorism by taking
care of my family [and] you have no idea how important that is over here. I remained so
alert, vigilant, aggressive [and] to do that you have to erase your family from your
mind completely and the only way [to] accomplish that extremely difficult task is to
know back home they are safe and taken care of and if they need anything they have a
place to go for help. Fortunately for me and my kids, my wife is very independent,
strong and did an outstanding job with the family. I have watched other soldiers that
were not as fortunate as I [and] they paid the ultimate price—their lives. I have three
American flags being flown at battalion headquarters they will be put in display
cases…my wife, you and DHL will get one when I return along with a certificate from
the battalion.
I also made a video unclassified of a mission using my truck which has Teamster stickers on it [and] can’t believe the army didn’t notice and make me remove them. I think
because the 1st Cavalry is horse related. To end this novel I have also been submitted
for the Bronze Star, which this battalion is not approving easily—there have been 16
applications [and] 13 have been disapproved. I hear I am still in the running [and] if this
happens and I get this award again, all of you back home have a piece of it—without my
family being taken care of I could very easily been distracted, complacent, which leads
to being killed. I owe all of you who assured my family to be all set more than I can repay.
Take care, see you soon.
Thank You Again!
Frank Gorman
(DHL) U.S. Army
US FOODSERVICE
James Scanlon
The letter above is from a Local 25 member, who is serving in the war, to Business Agent Tom Mari.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 25
AUTISM SPEAKS–
LOCAL 25 LISTENS
Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that affects 1 in 150 individuals. It is
more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined and occurs in
all racial, ethnic, and social groups. Autism impairs a person’s ability to
communicate and relate to others.
Autism can affect ANY family and ANY child at ANY time — including our
Teamster brothers and sisters. This is why it is so important to become educated
and educate others about this rising epidemic in today’s society.
We at Teamsters Local 25 need to become an essential piece in the fight against
Autism. We hope that our upcoming fundraising efforts will make a difference in
the lives of those who are affected by Autism every day. Each of us has strengths
and skills to share. When we link our individual strengths together, we’re invincible!
Help raise money to fight Autism.
Mark your calendar for this upcoming fundraising event:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007
SUFFOLK DOWNS
(more information about this event to follow)
To donate to this worthy cause, please send your check (made out
to Autism Speaks) to Walk Now for Autism, c/o Teamsters Local 25,
544 Main St., Boston, MA 02129
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 26
Stewards
Spotlight
Brian Mayall
Steward, Boston Towing
and Transportation, Co.
Brian Mayall is a nine-year
Teamster working at Boston
Towing and Transportation in
East Boston.
Boston Towing operates a
fleet of tug boats that service
Boston Harbor. As a deck hand, he handles all of the
towlines, provisions and supplies for the vessels. “We are
just like a cab stand. They call us and we go,” Mayall said.
The crew spends one week on the boat and one week
off the boat. The tugs have all of the comforts of home.
These mammoth boats have a sticker price of up to $5
million and can pull up to 60 tons in the water. “The
largest ship I have ever pulled was the aircraft carrier
U.S.S. John F. Kennedy when it came into Boston Harbor
on its decommission tour. The ship had an overall length
of 1,050 feet,” Mayall said.
Mayall is the steward serving as the workplace leader
for 18 Local 25 Teamsters. Before arriving at Boston Tow
in 1998, he was a commercial fisherman off the coast of
New Bedford for 25 years. He hails from a long family history of fishermen.
“My father was born on the boat coming over from
Ireland in 1909,” Mayall said. “My dad became a fisherman
when he grew up. I spent many hours at sea with him. I
have always loved the water.”
Marie Keohan
Steward, City of Everett
Marie Keohan is a citywide chief
steward in the City of Everett.
Teamsters Local 25 has 116
members in Everett. Keohan
works as an Emergency 9-1-1
operator, where she has worked
since the program’s inception in
1997. She is one of only three of
the original 12 operators still working there.
“At the start we just served the police department, but
now we service the fire department and the emergency
medical service,” Keohan said. “Our job has changed dras24 | The SPOKESMAN | SUMMER 2007 | www.teamsterslocal25.com
tically over the years. In the beginning the calls were infrequent, but in the last 10 years Everett has become a melting pot, and we sometimes match the City of Chelsea with
call volume.”
In 1997 after she joined Teamsters Local 25, workers
bargained to get both CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and EMD (emergency medical dispatch) training.
Keohan was born in Everett and has lived there her
whole life. Her biggest highlight as a Teamster was when
Sean O’Brien became her business agent.
“When Sean became our business agent things just
took off for us,” Keohan said. “We were up against the tide
with Mayor David Ragucci’s administration. One night in
2001 we were able to block Ragucci’s endorsement at the
Boston Central Labor Council. He disrespected us, so we
showed him some Teamster power, and he soon wanted to
become our friend. What a great night that was.”
Rashid Mbali
Steward, UPS
Rashid Mbali is the assistant
steward at the UPS center in
Watertown. Mbali was born
in the Republic of Uganda, a
country in East Africa. He grew
up in Salem and attended
Beverly High School.
Mbali is an eight-year Teamster who has served as both
steward and assistant steward.
“As the assistant steward in Watertown, I find myself
enforcing the contract, making sure managers are not
working, and informing the members about their rights as
Teamsters,” Mbali said.
Mbali drives the Fenway Park route, where during
baseball season he is constantly dodging the fans of Red Sox
Nation. He said it is a fun route, but a very busy one. He said
he occasionally runs into the ball players who are making
their way to the clubhouse.
Mbali once served as steward in the Chelmsford
UPS hub.
“I am excited to be part of Teamsters Local 25. Sean
O’Brien has been my business agent and now he is my
President. Good things are happening in our Local,” Mbali
said. Mbali was very helpful in a recent organizing drive at
Kiessling Transit, which yielded 106 new members.
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 27
Rich Sherlock
Steward, PTS
Rich Sherlock is the steward at
Performance Transportation
Services (PTS) in East Brookfield.
Sherlock became a Teamster in
1986 in the Carhaul Division.
“Back in the day all of the
work was union. Now the tide has
turned the other way,” Sherlock said. “This is a great industry
to be part of. Until the auto manufacturers decide to deliver
cars with more than a few miles on them, we will be in business for a long time. Our jobs are not going to be shipped to
China or Mexico.”
Sherlock has watched the carhaul industry change over
the years. He said that carhaul trailers have become 25 feet
longer, and are now wider and heavier.
“It is not easy to be a carhauler in New England. The
weather and the roads always pose a challenge for us as we
move the cars and trucks on and off of the trailers,” Sherlock
said. He said that if you have a CDL A license, and are able
to climb and bend without a problem, carhaul work is fun
and very lucrative.
“There is a shortage of good drivers in the carhaul
industry,” he said. “Most union carhaulers are paid both
hourly and by the mile. A full trailer of automobiles from
East Brookfield to Augusta, Maine could yield the driver
around $300 in wages for the trip.”
José Perez
Steward, Angelica Textiles
Thanks in large part to Jose
Perez, a steward at Angelica
Textile Services in Somerville,
working conditions have
improved greatly in the workplace.
Perez, a native of El Salvador,
has been a driver at Angelica for about five years. About
two years ago, workers voted to join Local 25, and Perez
became a steward.
At first, many of his coworkers, most of whom are
from El Salvador, were afraid to join the union. “They
were afraid they would be fired if they joined the union,”
Perez said.
Perez said he spent lots of time talking to his coworkers about the benefits of joining the Teamsters. The communications effort paid off—many of those who first
opposed the organizing effort voted for the union.
Perez said he focuses on strong communications with
his coworkers in his role as a steward.
“I try to listen to my coworkers’ concerns and convey
those concerns to management,” he said. “In one recent
case, a supervisor was jealous of the drivers and treated
them bad. We solved that problem and other problems.
Now, it’s a good place to work.”
“I want to thank Business Agent George Slicis and
President O’Brien for all they do for us,” Perez said.
Mark Lessard
Steward, UPS
Mark Lessard is a 19-year
Teamster, who has spent that
entire time working as a UPS
package-car driver at the company’s Northern New England
hub in Chelmsford. He became
an alternate steward in early
2006 and was appointed a steward in August 2006.
Because Chelmsford is such a large center (it has
more than 1,300 employees), keeping members
informed is a constant challenge for Lessard and the
other stewards.
“We need to keep the members informed so that we
are all in sync, but we also need to keep each other
informed,” Lessard said of the need for stewards to keep
an open line of communication. “We need to make sure
that we are doing the same thing at both ends of the
building so that our members are receiving consistent
guidance.”
Lessard said the company recently changed its lunch
system, which is causing lots of concern among members. Excessive overtime is another major, ongoing issue,
he said.
Another challenge: “You can do 100 things right, but
when you mess up that’s when members notice. If you
make a mistake, you need to move on because we can’t
slow down. Stewards are constantly busy.”
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 28
April 2007
Name
Company
Effective Date
Type
Charles R. Fraley
Daves Motor Trans., Inc.
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
Lucien R. Lamarche
Plymouth Rock Trans Corp.
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
Thomas J. McGuinnes
Weymouth Art Leather
3/1/07
Statutory Pension
Robert S. Phinney
Purity Supreme, Inc.
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
James A. Scungio
GAF Materials Corp.
3/1/07
Early Retirement
Robert Ullven
Trucking Co., Inc. and Boston & Taunton
3/1/07
Statutory Pension
James M. Victoria
Stop & Shop
3/1/07
Disability Pension
Dexter R. Wise
Peter Condakes
3/1/07
Regular Pension
Pensioners
May 2007
Name
Company
Effective Date
Type
Stephen R. Betz
Needham Oil Co.
4/1/07
Special Service
James A. Blackington
Weymouth Art Leather
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
Henry Jenkins
Kraft/SS Pierce
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
Angus C. MacEachern
E.H. Hinds and Riverside Trans Co.
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
James G. McNally
Heating Oil Partners, L.P.
4/1/07
Disability Pension
Wayne M. Patnode
A&P and Bird
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
Benny Thompson
Manfi Leasing
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
James M. Williams
UPS Cartage Services, Inc.
4/1/07
Statutory Pension
June 2007
Name
Company
Eleanor P. Barile
Federal Distillers
6/1/2007
Statutory Pension
Arthur W. Blaisdell
BirdInc.NE Roofing Div.
5/1/2007
Disability Pension
John R. Carr
Energy Install Inc
4/1/2007
Statutory Pension
Thomas K. Connerty
Stop & Shop Supermarkets
5/1/2007
Special Service
Ronald N. Crotty
Brinks, Inc
5/1/2007
Statutory Pension
Alfred L. Rose
Star Markets Inc
6/1/2007
Statutory Pension
Armand T. Sangermano
UPS
6/1/2007
Special Service
Michael L. Scola
General Linen
5/1/2007
Statutory Pension
Effective Date
Type
8/14/07
In
5:00 PM
Page 29
Memoriam
Name
Company
Name
Compay
Natale Abramo
UPS
Philip V. Keohan
Petroleum Heat & Power
Arthur J. Allison
Maislin Transport
Fernand Lachance
Federal Distillers
George Ambessi
TNT Freight Carriers
Joseph Lubinski, Sr.
Signal Delivery Corp
Joseph G. Andreotti
Spector Freight
Anthony J. Maglio
Community Suffolk
Jerry A. Belmonte
Jones
Wilbur A. Marsh
Tech Weld
John J. Burlamachi Sr.
National Trans
Gerald W. Martin
GOS
John D. Cain
Bristol Linen
Harold J. Newhall
Hemingway Trans Inc.
James Cavalieri
Finast
Maurice J. Nolan
Bird, Inc.
Ernest R. Chaplin
GAF Materials Corp
Cornelius J. O'Brien
Carolina Freight
Marianne Cherry
Stop & Shop
Carlo A. Ottaviano
Russo Bros.
Howard L. Crosby
Charles Gilman & Sons
George W. Patriquin
Halls Motor Freight
Paul F. Cuddy
Costa Fruit & Produce
Walter I. Peabody
St. Johnsbury
Leslie D. Cummings
Stop & Shop
Michael J. Pittman
Samuel Kurr & Co.
John C. Doucette
US Foodservice, Inc
Donald L. Porter
Juluis Goldstein Co.
John J. Duggan Jr.
Westwood Cartage
John Rampon
Costa Fruit & Produce
Thomas E. Flynn
Preston Trucking
Anthony Salerno
Federal Yeast Corporation
Eugene Flynn
NE Theatrical
Richard J. Sennett
Jordan Marsh
Richard T.Gaudet
O'Donnell Express
Michael Shaw
Ultramar Petroleum Inc.
Paul Gould
Maislin Transport
Warren M. Silvernail
Smurfit Stone Container Enterprises
David C. Heuser
Hall & Cole
Ernest Skelton
Pickering Oil Co
Thomas F.Hickey
National Transportation
Charles B. Smith
Lily Transportation
Armand L. Hubert
Smurfit Stone Container Enterprises
Thomas D. Stone
Brinks, Inc.
Arthur F. Jensen
Beacon Fast Freight
John L. Sullivan
Finast
Leonard A. Kenney
Beacon Fast Freight
Richard L. Turner
M & M Transportation
Harold E.Walton
Spector Freight
Robert E. Waterman, Sr.
Signal Delivery Service
Robert W. Willard
Carolina Freight
Martin E. Wright
McLean Trucking
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 30
Retiree
Chapter News
25
Teamsters
Local 25
Retiree Chapter
Retiree News
resident Joe Conti thanked everyone
for coming to the breakfast meeting on
April 12 and opened with the Pledge
of Allegiance. Conte introduced Recording
Secretary Bill Burpee. Burpee gave his report
and read the names of 15 deceased members
who passed on since the January meeting.
Secretary-Treasurer Chuck Durfee read his
Treasurer’s report, which was accepted
unanimously.
President Conti introduced the guests:
Dr. James Ku of Cambridge Urological
Associates, and Mary Johnson, a nurse from
Mount Auburn Hospital. They made an
P
excellent presentation on prostate problems.
They showed slides, displayed examples of
different types of prostate problems, and also
had brochures for all the members. Dr. Ku
and Johnson stayed after the presentation to
answer member’s questions. We heard many
favorable comments from the members who
attended the meeting.
President Conti thanked all the retirees
who participated in the past three months for
coming out and standing in the cold to support
our brothers and sisters who need our support. We need volunteers, so if you are interested in helping, call (617) 241-8825, ext. 267.
President Conti thanked Joe Cuggino, who was
the first Secretary-Treasurer of the Local 25
Retiree Chapter; Steve Sullivan, Director of
Joe Conti
President
Chuck Durfee
Secretary-Treasurer
John "Johnny B"
Buonaugurio
Local 25 Retiree Chapter Makes DRIVE Contribution
The Teamsters Local 25
Retiree Chapter made a $2000.
contribution to the Chapter 25
Drive Political Action Fund.
Chapter 25 Drive is the Local
union’s PAC fund used for
support of state and municipal
candidates.
“It is the least we can do,”
said Joe Conti, President of the
Teamsters Local 25 Retirees
Chapter. “Gone are the days
when you could rely on the
likes of lunch-pail politicians
like Tip O’Neill to always
do the right thing for the
Teamsters. We need to keep them all in
check nowadays.”
“This contribution is much appreciated
and will go along way to help us support
candidates who carry our agenda on Beacon
Vice President
Hill,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President &
Principal Officer. “The Retirees Chapter
knows more than anyone how important it is
to elect your friends and defeat your enemies
in our political system”
8/14/07
5:00 PM
Page 31
This photo displays
the Jeep of
Dale Cressy, who
is a proud Local 25
retiree living in
Deltona, Florida.
Cressy worked for
St. Johnsbury
Trucking from
1966-1993 and at
New Penn from
1993-1998.
Organizing and Government Affairs; Organizer
Steve South; Carol Blanchard of Health and
Welfare; and all the retired officers for coming
to the breakfast meeting.
President Conti asked for a motion from
the floor to donate $250 yearly for the upkeep
of the local’s memorial to Teamsters who died
on the job, which is located in front of the
Local 25 Hall. The motion was made by Jackie
Crehan and seconded by John (Whitey)
Chambers. The motion passed unanimously.
Thanks to Café Sorelli, Inc. for an excellent
breakfast. The breakfast servers were Frank
Pagliaro, Tony Bruno, Joe Cuggino, Bob
Riccardi, Jerry Bolton, Bill Ronchetti, Jimmy
Ronchetti, Paul McNelley and Bob Black.
President Conti thanked the servers, the
sergeant at arms and Joe Evans, who sold the
50/50 raffle tickets, for doing a great job.
Welcome aboard: Arthur Cossette, McLean
Trucking; Joseph Guerra, M.S. Walker; Joseph
Ognibene, Northern Terminals; and Robert
Phinney, Purity Supreme.
The winner of the clock was John Durham.
The $25 door prize winners were: Jim Torpey,
John Baronas, John Troisi and John Passanise.
Johnny B. won the 50/50 raffle.
Note: At the January general meeting,
President Conti presented $2,000 to President
Sean O’Brien, which was donated by the
retirees in 2006 for DRIVE. All DRIVE money
stays in Boston.
On April 28, 10 Local 25 retired Teamsters
attended a Workers Memorial Day rally at the
State House to honor the men and women
who lost their lives while working at their jobs.
Kevin Lally read the names of 21 military personnel who lost their lives, 18 in Iraq and three
in Afghanistan. On May 11, President Conti,
along with 12 other retirees, was at the ItalianAmerican Club in Woburn to show support
for the city workers who are trying to unionize.
On April 19, Local 25 retirees attended a
Painters Union rally to show their support
against Clear Channel.
Ten retiree chapter members applied for
our $2,000 scholarship. On May 20 at the
Teamsters Local 25 general meeting in
Charlestown, President Conti presented the
scholarship to Jillian Miranda. Jillian’s
grandfather is Don Reynolds, who retired
from Roadway.
Bill Burpee
Recording-Secretary
Kevin Lally
Trustee
Ron Simpson
Trustee
Dan Splaine
Trustee
8/14/07
5:01 PM
Page 32
Take a Stand for
Working Families
You can help build Teamster political power by joining the
thousands of Teamsters who already contribute to DRIVE.
Find out more about this exciting program by talking to your local union,
or on the web at www.teamster.org/drive
The Spokesman
Summer 2007
The Spokesman (USPS 613-400)
is published by
Teamsters Local 25,
International Brotherhood of
Teamsters, 544 Main Street,
Boston, MA 02129-1113.
Telephone (617) 241-8825.
Periodicals Class Postage Paid
at Boston, MA
POSTMASTER
PLEASE SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
TEAMSTERS UNION LOCAL 25
THE SPOKESMAN
Periodicals
POSTAGE PAID
Boston, MA

Spokesman - Teamsters Local 25

Transcription

Similar documents

Teamsters Local 776 Newsletter

james r. hoffa memorial scholarship fund

Organizing Book.pub - Teamsters Local 830

May 2009 - Teamsters Local 399

Fall - Teamsters Local 89

Picture Car Mechanics Make Magic on the set of The Green Hornet

Teamsters Local 776

Teamsters Report - Teamsters Local 406

granite state teamsters